How Do You Spell LITHIUM HYDRIDE?

Pronunciation: [lˈɪθi͡əm hˈa͡ɪdɹa͡ɪd] (IPA)

Lithium hydride, a compound of lithium and hydrogen, is spelled as /ˈlɪθiəm ˈhaɪdraɪd/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "lithi-" is pronounced as "LI-thi" and the second syllable "-um" sounds like "-uhm". The word "hydride" is pronounced as "HI-drahyd" with the emphasis on the first syllable. The word’s spelling is based on its chemical composition and follows common conventions for chemical names. Lithium hydride has several uses, including as a reducing agent, synthesis of complex hydrides and preparation of deuterium.

LITHIUM HYDRIDE Meaning and Definition

1. Lithium hydride is an ionic compound with the chemical formula LiH. It is a solid that appears as a white crystalline powder. Lithium hydride is formed by the reaction between lithium metal and hydrogen gas. It is a powerful reducing agent and has a variety of applications in different fields.

   In terms of its physical properties, lithium hydride has a high melting point and is insoluble in most organic solvents. It is highly reactive with water, undergoing a violent reaction to form lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. This reactivity makes it a useful compound in certain industrial processes.

   Lithium hydride is commonly utilized as a hydrogen source in nuclear fusion research due to its ability to release large amounts of hydrogen when heated. It also finds application as a powerful reducing agent in organic synthesis, where it is used to remove oxygen or halogen atoms from various compounds. Additionally, lithium hydride can act as a strong base in chemical reactions due to the presence of the hydride ion (H-), making it useful in the production of lithium salts.

   Overall, lithium hydride is an important compound with significant applications in various scientific and industrial fields. Its reactivity and versatility make it valuable in processes involving hydrogen generation, organic synthesis, and chemical reactions requiring strong reducing or basic properties.

Etymology of LITHIUM HYDRIDE

The word "lithium hydride" has a straightforward etymology based on the elements it consists of: lithium and hydride.

- "Lithium" originated from the Greek word "lithos" meaning "stone" or "rock". Lithium is a chemical element with the symbol Li and atomic number 3. It was named after its properties, as it is commonly found in rocks and minerals.

- "Hydride" is derived from "hydrogen", the chemical element with the symbol H and atomic number 1. "Hydrogen" comes from the Greek words "hydro" for "water" and "gen" for "generator" or "producer", referring to its role in forming water when it combines with oxygen.

When these two words are combined to form "lithium hydride", it simply denotes the compound formed by the chemical bonding of lithium and hydrogen atoms.